Kerala CM Blasts Governor for Labeling Protesting Students as Criminals

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for referring to protesting SFI members as criminals and held the BJP-led central government responsible for allowing such an unbalanced individual to hold office.

Pathanamthitta, Kerala - Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly criticized Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for labeling protesting Students' Federation of India (SFI) members as criminals. Vijayan accused the BJP-led central government of unleashing such a deranged individual upon the state.

Governor's Remarks Spark Outrage

Addressing a gathering in Adoor as part of the ongoing Nava Kerala Sadas, Vijayan expressed his disapproval of Khan's recent statements. He emphasized the need for the central government to recognize the gravity of the situation and take appropriate action. The chief minister highlighted Khan's history of disparaging individuals who oppose his ideology, including renowned historian Irfan Habib and protesting students.

Black Flag Protests and Kannur's Historical Significance

Vijayan acknowledged the occurrence of black flag protests against his government but stressed that they never resorted to calling protesters derogatory names. He took exception to Khan's remarks about Kannur, a region with a rich history in India's freedom struggle. The chief minister listed prominent individuals from Kannur, including former chief ministers and notable personalities, to illustrate the region's significance.

Kannur's Role in India's History

Vijayan highlighted Kannur's involvement in prominent agrarian uprisings and its recognition through events such as the Kayyur uprising and visits by prominent leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. He countered Khan's portrayal of Kannur as a violent place by recounting its historical contributions.

Governor Accused of Provocation and Targeting Kerala

The chief minister accused Khan of deliberately provoking students and the people of Kerala. He further alleged that the central government was using the governor to target the state financially and politically. Vijayan's criticism comes in response to Khan's earlier statements, where he referred to Kannur's history of violence and labeled protesting students as criminals hired by the chief minister.

SFI Protests and Allegations of Saffronization

The SFI has been actively protesting against the governor, alleging that he has been pushing BJP-RSS nominees to various university senates using his authority as the chancellor. The student organization accuses Khan of pursuing the saffronization agenda of the BJP.

The ongoing conflict between Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan highlights the escalating tensions between the state government and the central government. The governor's controversial remarks and actions have drawn sharp criticism from the chief minister, who accuses the central government of using Khan to target Kerala. The situation underscores the complex dynamics of power and governance in India's federal structure.